Comfort Keepers, an international franchise that offers companionship and other non-medical services for aging adults, has announced its expansion plans for the United Kingdom, with its first office opening this month near London. Company projections call for 150 locations throughout the UK by 2010. With the growing senior population worldwide and its entry into the UK, Comfort Keepers aims to meet the demand for quality senior care across international markets.
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The UK has an estimated 9.5 million seniors over the age of 65. Census projections estimate the amount of seniors in the UK will increase by 27 percent to 13 million, compiling more than 20 percent of United Kingdom’s total population by the year 2025.
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“After our successful launch into Canada, we are gearing up for an international expansion program,” said Ray Hays, director of international franchise development. ”With the success of more than 470 locations throughout the United States, our strategy is to take the successful Comfort Keepers franchise model and duplicate those efforts internationally. The UK is our first entry outside North America, and in the near future we plan to enter other key European countries, including Ireland and Spain, in addition to other high-demand markets, such as Australia and New Zealand.” The first Comfort Keepers office in Europe opened in early July, in the area of Woking, Surrey near London.
Comfort Keepers provides an affordable solution to aging adults, which includes personal and companionship care services. For example, Comfort Keepers assists seniors with meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, transportation, bathing and grooming, incontinence care, recreational activities and other non-medical needs. Comfort Keepers is available on an hourly, daily or weekly basis with tailored packages customized to an individual’s needs for a fraction of long term care costs.
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Leading Comfort Keepers’ regional Master Franchise for Southern England is Director Graham Jones of Prima Services Group, a company specializing in the staffing industry that decided to invest in the high-growth senior care sector. “The UK market is highly regulated, so it was important to us that Comfort Keepers had well documented systems as well as a reputation for quality and service,” said Jones. “We want to ensure that the word ‘care’ loses its poor image in the UK and is seen more positively. Comfort Keepers will help tremendously to change this perception.”
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Comfort Keepers will fill the void for family members who are attempting to balance the needs of aging loved ones with their own busy lives. This gap is particularly evident among families with seniors who are in relatively good health who desperately want to continue to live at home, yet simply need some assistance with daily tasks.
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With Comfort Keepers’ success in the US and Canada, the company expects its concept and services to be well received across the UK.
About Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers is an international franchise that offers companionship and other non-medical services for aging adults, new mothers and others needing assistance. Founded in 1998 by a registered home health care nurse and her husband, Comfort Keepers has grown to over 470 locations in the US and Canada. For more information about Comfort Keepers, visit www.comfortkeepers.com.
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